First time visiting Warrnambool? Here’s your ultimate guide.
About three hours south west of Melbourne, Warrnambool is a holiday destination for everyone and anyone! From families and couples, to single travellers, or those just passing through on their way along the coastline. There’s so much to learn about this regional city and its surroundings that we’ve hand-picked a few essential facts to point you in the right direction.
For beach goers
From June to September it’s whale-watching season in Warrnambool. Southern right whales can be spotted from an expansive designated viewing platform at Logans Beach, which is just a stone’s throw from the car park. Better yet, these giants often swim within just 100 metres of the shore. At worst you can soak up excellent views of the powerful coastline.
Logans Beach is also renowned for surfing, while protected Lady Bay suits swimming and other water leisure and is patrolled during summer.
For the walkers and runners
Walking trails in Warrnambool offer countless rewards for varying tastes. Try these:
- Warrnambool Foreshore Promenade: Hive of activity, particularly during summer, with its 5km-plus path that suits walking, cycling, or skating.
- Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail: Smooth, mostly flat 37km long path that links these two locations. Ample highlights along the way; favoured by both cyclists and walkers.
- Warrnambool Heritage Trail: Traces the city’s oldest structures over 3km. Maps are available from the Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre on Merri Street.
For the nature lover
Take the 15 minute drive from the city centre to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. It’s home to a massive volcanic crater and bursts with fascinating geological features, a lake, wetlands, and indigenous heritage. Wildlife includes kangaroos, emus, and koalas, and various native bird species. View it all on a series of walking trails of varying difficulty and length.
Feel like a day trip? Try Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it holds immense cultural significance as one of the oldest and most complex aquaculture systems in the world.
For the family
Make sure you take the family to one of Warrnambool’s key attractions – Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. It’s here you can explore the area’s rich maritime past and retrace the compelling stories of the many ships that came to grief in these treacherous waters. At night, they hold a dramatic sound and light show.
Lake Pertobe Playground has equipment for children and adults! It’s right by Lake Pertobe, where you can ride a motor boat. Close by is Mini Golf by the Sea. There are barbecue facilities if you want to make a whole day of it.
For relaxation
Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs is where you’ll find the outdoor geothermal pools. The healing mineral waters from deep in the earth are pumped up into 15 different pools (surrounded by gardens, caves and rockeries) with differing temperatures to enjoy.
There is an adults only option (16+) with a twilight session of the Hot Springs, all other sessions are welcome to children 5 and over.
And, finally, what's that Silver Ball? Approaching the city from the east, you might notice a large silver sphere protruding from the skyline and balanced atop an orange ‘tripod’. Apparently, it’s a water storage bowl, which is part of the iconic and colourful Fletcher Jones Gardens.
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